Toxoplasmosis – Do I Have to Get Rid of My Cat?

All these years, it has been you and your kitty.  Now, you find yourself expecting a new bundle of joy, and people keep telling you that you need to get rid of your cat. For eons, there has been a lot of misinformation being spread around the prenatal world making woman fearful that owning a cat while pregnant could cause them to miscarry, or give birth to a baby with birth defects.

So, what is the real scoop?  Do you have to ditch the kitty in order to protect you and your baby from toxoplasmosis?

The answer is a resounding no. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that is mostly caused by eating raw or undercooked infected meat, but you can also get the parasite by eating unwashed contaminated produce, drinking contaminated water, or handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or meat and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is also caused from coming in contact with the feces from a cat. And unfortunately, since cat feces is often the culprit, many pregnant women are encouraged to get rid of their cats during pregnancy.

In a normal, healthy un-pregnant person, the symptoms of this illness normally go unnoticed. However, during pregnancy – there is a risk that becoming infected can also infect the placenta and your unborn baby, causing birth defects and even stillbirth. According to the CDC, in the United States it is estimated that only around 1% of all babies born are infected with toxoplasmosis. More importantly however – you don’t have to get rid of your cat simply because you are pregnant.

If you have a cat and are pregnant, then you need to take some basic precautions. First and foremost is to wash your hands after you touch your cat, and MOST IMPORTANTLY is to leave the cleaning of the litter box to someone else in the family while you are pregnant. The litter box should be cleaned DAILY because the parasite that causing toxoplasmosis can live in cat litter for months, and the litter remains should be taken outside of the house. The person cleaning the litter box should use gloves and should also wash their hands afterwards. Additionally, avoid giving your cat any undercooked or raw meats and stick to commercial cat foods. If your cat likes to hunt down prey outdoors, this risk of them contracting toxoplasmosis is higher (but you will not likely know they have it) – so you should try to handle your cat as little as possible.

It is also in your best interest to avoid kittens or cats that you don’t know while you are pregnant.

As mentioned earlier, your cat is not the only source of toxoplasmosis. In fact, you are more likely to get it from eating undercooked meats than you are to get it from your cat. This is just one reason why health care professionals advise pregnant woman to avoid raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy products and smoked or salt-cured meats like salami during pregnancy.

All in all, you shouldn’t let fear make you get rid of your beloved pet. This risk of infection, especially if you are armed with the right information and take careful precautions, is very low. While you may have to be careful around your cat before and during your pregnancy – it is still okay to own a cat.

Written By Stef, Mother of 4 @MOM-SPIRATIONAL

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Top 11 Concerns of Labor and Delivery

According to the book, Birthing From Within, the following are the top 11 concerns of labor and delivery for pregnant woman.

1) Not being able to stand the pain

2) Not being able to relax

3) Feeling rushed, or fear of taking too long

4) My pelvis is not big enough

5) My cervix won’t open

6) Lack of privacy

7) Being judged for making noise

8) Being separated from the baby

9) Having to fight for my wishes to be respected

10) Having intervention and not knowing if it is necessary or what else to do

11) Pooping during labor

As you can see, it is apparently natural for women to worry about all sorts of things prior to giving birth. Most of this worry and concern comes from a sense of not knowing what to expect, and of course the worries that everything will work out as planned. We are conditioned to feel like we are in control of our lives, and the unknown (as well as the high stakes of labor and delivery) tamper with our sense of control.

The good news is that a little bit of worry and apprehension is okay. Your concern for what might happen stems from the love you feel for your baby. But rather than let your worries get the best of you, try these simple tips for regaining your sense of control.

First, make sure that you have a birthing plan that you go over with your family members and your doctors. Most birthing centers will have you fill one out when you visit the hospital. This gives you time to make clear decisions about your wishes during labor and delivery, and enables you to have some records on file so that doctors and nurses can make sure your wishes are followed. Plus, making a birthing plan ahead of time ensures that you won’t have to make snap decisions in the delivery room when your thinking wont be as clear.

Talk to other pregnant moms and family members and friends. You are not alone in giving birth. Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, and while many people will fill you with horror stories – others will reassure you that all will be well.

Another good piece of advice is to trust your body. Thoughts like “What if I can’t give birth,” or “What if my cervix won’t dilate,” are normal concerns. But trust in your body. Your body knows what it is doing, and as long as you listen to what it is telling you, you will fine. Plus, medical intervention has come so far today that there are very little things that could happen that a doctor won’t be able to help you with.

Remind yourself that your labor and delivery is a personal part of your life. YOUR LIFE. Who cares what others think? Who cares if you poop, or make noise, or if you cry? This is about YOU and YOUR family. The people who are there with you love you and if they respect you, then you should have no worries about being embarrassed or ashamed of ANYTHING that happens during labor and delivery.

Recognize that worrying about pain is normal. It does not mean you are selfish. And just because people tell you that you won’t remember the pain afterwards doesn’t mean that you can easily dismiss a fear of pain. Doctors today can make labor and delivery as comfortable as possible, and YOU ARE TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK!

When the worries get the best of you, just sit back and relax and breathe. Think about your future with your baby. Think positive thoughts and try to keep yourself busy. Find people to talk to about your feelings, and don’t hold anything in. Remember, YOU GOT THIS!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Mom-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

5 Tips to Help Siblings Adjust to Pregnancy

You are pregnant. And you are ecstatic. You have been wanting to add to your family for quite some time now, and finally your dreams are coming true. Of course, you expect that the rest of your family will be just as excited as you are. But what happens when they are not? And what happens when your little ones don’t particularly want to be big brothers or sisters?

For a mom, hearing your 5-year-old exclaim, “I don’t want another baby” can be heartbreaking. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help them adjust. Here are some 5 tips to help siblings adjust to pregnancy.

1. Use good judgment and timing when you announce the news. If your children are very young, you may want to warm them up to the idea before you tell them that you are pregnant. Point out other people you know that have younger siblings or a baby in the family. This way, they can begin to mentally prepare before they are just bombarded with the news. If they have questions or concerns, then make sure you address them as they come up. Remember EVERY concern your child has is one that is important to them.

2. As a mother, don’t be offended by a young child’s kneejerk reaction. Remember, they didn’t choose to have a sibling – YOU DID. And although they will warm up to the idea, it is important to allow them to go through their own feelings on the matter. They may start out being anger, or acting out towards you for a few weeks, which is normal. Although you shouldn’t allow them to be disrespectful, you do need to allow them to own their own feelings. And even if you don’t agree with their feelings, make sure that you validate them and try to understand things from their point of view.

3. Enroll them in a sibling class, especially near your third trimester. This will help them make friends with other kids their age who are also expecting a sibling, and empower them to be in a position to help you. When they realize that they will be the metaphorical ‘big man on campus,’ they may warm up to the idea of having a younger sibling.

4. Don’t leave them out of the decision making. No, you don’t have to let your 3-year-old name your new baby, but it is a good idea to ask their opinions on things. Get their input on how to decorate the nursery, let them pick out the coming home outfit for the baby, and make sure that they have a voice in things. This helps them to regain some control, and also reminds them that you value their feelings and opinions.

5. Last but not least, make sure that extended family and friends make a BIG deal of the older sibling when delivery day comes. The baby won’t remember the gifts or the people that come to visit, but the older brother and sister WILL! Speak with family members and make sure that they don’t let the excitement of a new baby make the older siblings feel unnoticed.

Obviously, you also want to remind your children that no matter what, and no matter how many kids you have, you will always love them the same. This isn’t something that can be said enough times! Just keep reminding them – hug them and tell them how much you love them every chance you get. When the baby comes, things may be askew for a few weeks or months as your new family adjusts, but in the end, everything will work out for the best!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Plus Size and Pregnant

The reality is that not every pregnant woman looks like Kate Middleton prior to, or even one month after pregnancy. In fact, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), around 61% of all pregnant women are overweight at the onset of pregnancy. What does this mean? Are there more risks for overweight women than there are for their average or underweight counterparts?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a woman is overweight if her BMI is above 25. New research also suggests that a woman is overweight (even her actual scale weight is appropriate) if her waist measures more than 36 inches. Of course, we all know that ethnicity, genetics and a bunch of other things play a part in your weight. During pregnancy, there is quite simply a lot of emphasis placed on your weight and many practitioners will encourage already overweight women to not gain in excess during pregnancy.

Health wise, the risks of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are higher if you are overweight. Even so, experts agree that with a careful diet and routine management and prenatal visits, these two diseases can be avoided and controlled during pregnancy. More important is your personal health history of diseases such as high blood pressure – that may be made worse by pregnancy.

According to author Van der Ziel, coauthor of Big, Beautiful, and Pregnant: Expert Advice and Comforting Wisdom for the Expecting Plus-Size Woman, “You can be overweight and have a fit pregnancy. Any obese pregnant woman can modify her risks by eating well, exercising, and adhering to weight-gain guidelines.” And, even more important is that your pre-pregnancy weight, if managed well during pregnancy can be non-issue. The presumption that a woman will not have a healthy pregnancy just because a woman is plus size and pregnant is simply NOT true.

Certainly, pregnancy is not the time to diet or minimize your caloric intake. Instead, it is important for ALL pregnant women – not just plus sized ones – to eat for health, choosing foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals rather than in calories because this is what your growing baby will need to be healthy. Additionally, make sure that you have a practitioner who is both understanding and non-judgmental about your weight, as this is supposed to be a happy time in your life.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Can My Baby Feel My Partner During Sex?

Chances are you or your partner have worried about whether or not having sex while you are pregnant would hurt your baby. The truth is that there are men all over this world that believe their penis is so large, that having sex with their pregnant partner will lead to some sort of permanent brain damage or deformation to the unborn baby, or they worry that the baby can actually feel their penis during sex. Sure, this may be an embarrassing question to ask – but in truth, it is only one of hundreds of natural pregnancy concerns felt by expectant parents.

While this may be a blow to male pride, the reality is that according to health professionals around the globe, there is not a penis large enough to actually touch or harm the baby during intercourse – even if the penis does reach the cervix.

The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology says that as long as you are having a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, sex during pregnancy is 100% safe, even in the third trimester. They also suggest to use your body as a guide, and that if a woman is comfortable in certain sexual positions without feeling pain or discomfort, than this is a sign that the baby is fine as well.

If your partner is worried that penetration will harm or touch your unborn baby, you need to inform him that the baby is fully protected in an amniotic fluid, and that the mucous plug located at the cervix, protects the baby from feeling any bumps or jolts during intercourse. Even if your partner is well endowed, there is no chance that he is large enough to cause any sort of damage to the baby during sex.

Often times, men become leery of sex during pregnancy because they feel that the baby will ‘know’ what is going on, or be able to feel their penis during sex. Three makes a crowd, right?  You should know that it is normal for men to shy away from intercourse for this very reason, and that it has nothing to do with how your partner feels about you. If you are feeling amorous, all you can do is (kindly) reassure your partner that everything will be okay (even forward him this article if you need to).

This of course doesn’t mean that pregnancy is the time to experiment with sex toys, or engage in rough sex – however routine intimacy is perfectly healthy if both you and your partner are willing. And there is no need to worry that you will physically or emotionally scar your baby for life.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4@MOM-SPIRATIONAL

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Third Trimester Worries – My Baby is NOT Moving

By the third trimester of pregnancy, you have probably become used to – and fallen in love with – the feeling of your baby moving around inside you. Feeling your baby move inside your belly, and being able to actually see it through your skin and recognize little fingers or toes, is truly an amazing part of pregnancy.

But what happens when you are in the third trimester and it seems like your baby has stopped moving? Should you be immediately alarmed? Is it normal?

The reality is that your baby will have a pretty consistent cycle of wake and sleep. If you are up and moving around a lot, you may have lulled your baby to sleep inside you. Then suddenly, you realize that you cannot remember the last time you felt your baby move and begin to panic. Additionally, as your baby grows – there is less room for him or her to move around, which can cause a difference in the fetal movements you feel. When you do feel movement, it can be abrupt, painful and very uncomfortable for you. So a change in the types of movement late in pregnancy is normal for most women.

The best thing to do is to lie down on your left side, and drink some orange juice – or eat something sweet – and wait for 30 minutes or so.  Often times, the ‘sugar rush’ and your stillness will make the baby more active. You can also try to manipulate the baby with your hands by mashing gently on your belly.  Sometimes, you can push your belly in one way and force a movement or kick.

If none of these things seem to be working, then call your doctor. Chances are they will have you come in and hook you up to a baby monitor that will track the heartbeat and be able to pick up movements. Plus, if there is anything wrong – the doctors will have ultrasound equipment on hand and can take a quick peek at your baby to ascertain his or her welfare.

The best rule of thumb to follow when you are pregnant, is to follow your instincts. Worrying is just part of parenthood, and it starts even when you are pregnant. It is important that you pay attention to your body and the routine activities of your baby – so that if something goes astray, you will catch it right away. Your healthcare providers are there to HELP you, and it is better to be a little paranoid and err on the side of caution rather than wait it out.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.